This week we are going to be completing the World of Color challenge from the Winter Wednesday ebook. This challenge invites you and your family to take a walk outdoors and find some color in your winter world. Even if you have to complete this challenge from your window, it will help train your eyes to see the bursts of color that are out there if you look carefully enough.
Original Challenge: The World of Color.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the Discover Nature in Winter book to use along with the challenge. Take the ideas listed in the blog post to complete a simple color hunt with your children and then follow up with an entry in your nature journal. The journal can be simply a list of colorful things you saw or a sketch of something your child found interesting. Make this a no-pressure challenge for your child.
There are a few other ideas in the ebook to try if you don’t want to go outside for this challenge. Color Cards For Your Winter Color Study
Use these color word cards to stimulate a fun nature study related activity. See how many of the colors you can find during your winter color hunt.
TIPS: These cards can be printed on cardstock or cut and pasted to index cards. If you only have a black and white printer, have your children color the words or the border with markers before going outside. Printable Color Word Cards
Getting Started Suggestion:
If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #1.This is the perfect challenge to just take a simple walk outdoors with your children as part of completing challenge #1.Make sure to follow up your outdoor time with a discussion to find out one or two things your child would like to know more about. Don’t worry that you won’t know the answers to any questions they may have…just take the opportunity to learn together using internet resources or a trip to the library.
The December 2013 newsletter focused on various national parks, showing different ways to enjoy the parks with your children. I was very inspired by the contributors and their experiences at national parks from east to west.
Throughout 2014 I am going to feature one national park each month here on the blog. Our family has traveled to many of the western parks and enjoyed exploring their wonders. I desire to share those adventures with you and perhaps spark a desire in your family to travel to one soon.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – 2005
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The most recent national park that I have visited is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. We have been there several times now and each time spent time doing something different. If you are planning a visit, don’t miss their Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Trip Planner.
View of Kilauea from Jaegger Museum 2005
On our most recent visit, we also spent time at the Visitor’s Center viewing the displays and reminding ourselves of the opportunities there are for exploring. Of course, the main attraction is the Jaegger Museum and Kilauea volcano itself. These are such awesome places to start your visit if you want to learn more about the volcanic activity in the area. We used this museum as a way to support our study of volcanoes and geology. What better way to learn could there be?
Kilauea 2013 – Lots of VOG (volcanic gases)
If you are planning a visit to the Big Island, it is a drive from either the Hilo side or the Kona side. The amazing thing to realize is that most of the time you are on island you are actually not very far from the large volcanoes that reside there, some still active. See a map here: Hawaii Island.
Trail to Thurston Lava Tube – 2004
After visiting the museum, you can drive to Thurston Lava Tube and actually walk through a dark, damp tube that was formed by flowing lava. This is an easy walk and everyone should experience it. This walk is in a part of the park that is like a rainforest with large ferns and vines and beautiful bird sounds. The first time we came here I was surprised at the contrasts of this national park with its volcanic moonscape and then the lush rainforest. Truly there is something for everyone.
There are several viewing spots along Crater Rim Drive. Stop at a few of the spots and see the way the lava flowed, forming bumps and layers. Take in the caldera of Kilauea and stop at the steam vents.
If you have more time and are interested in taking in more of the park, take a hike! There are trails you can use to visit more of this awesome landscape. There is one trail where there are ancient petroglyphs.
Hiking out past the end of the road on the lava. Reflectors mark the trail. 2005
Our family hiked out on the lava several years ago and we were able to see actual lava flowing. It was an amazing experience and I hear that at times you can hike out on this section of the park after dark and see the lava actually flowing into the ocean. We have never done that and it seems a little risky to me but many people have done it and survived.:)
Moving lava – see the red hot spots?
Warning: The day we were there the museum and several of the trails were closed because of toxic fumes from the volcano. The winds were not blowing and the accumulated fumes were on a level that was dangerous for prolonged exposure. See this page for more details: Area Closures.
We took a bike tour of the park with a touring company. It was a fantastic day and the guide was super knowledgeable about volcanoes as well as the plants that we saw along the way. I highly recommend this tour for families: Bike Volcano.
At the steam vents 2013
At the end of the Chain of Craters Road, there is a picnic area, restrooms, and little shop for snacks. You can walk out where the lava has covered the road in past eruptions.
Flying in a helicopter is the best way to see the active volcano
My husband and two of my sons took a helicopter tour that flew up over the volcano. They said it was an awesome experience to see down into the caldera with active lava flow. They saw lava skylights where the lava flows through tubes and the top opens up so you can see the glowing red lava. They flew with Safari Tours and were very impressed with the safety and knowledge of the guide.They flew out of the Hilo airport. Check out the video on the Safari Tours website.
There are two campgrounds in the national park. There is also the historic Volcano House. We have never stayed there but have been inside and it looks like a great place to stay.
We have experienced all kinds of weather at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Twice it rained on us and the last time it was perfectly clear and beautifully sunny. Even when it rains it is not cold so shorts and sweatshirt are the most you would ever need.
This past November during our trip to this awesome national park we realized that we need to spend some more time there on the next Big Island visit. We would like to explore the area on foot and perhaps stay at the Volcano House Hotel. There is also an art center at the park that we have not visited yet…so many things to do!
There are two other national historical parks we visited on the Big Island.
Pu ‘uhonua O Honaunau – The Place of Refuge is a reconstructed ancient Hawaiian city. It is an awesome example of history and culture. The view from the park is amazing.
Pu ‘ukohala Heiau – This is a great place to get out and stretch your legs. Walking on the path of ancient Hawaiian kings and learning more about the history of the Hawaiian Islands. This is also an incredibly beautiful part of the Big Island. Take a trip here and then explore the area’s little charming towns.
If you find yourself on the island of Oahu, you can visit Pearl Harbor or the World War II Valor In The Pacific National Monument. We took our boys when they were studying modern history and this place immerses you in the history of this landmark location. We really enjoyed the tour, the museum, and learning so much in one small place.
We have felt so blessed to be able to travel to these amazing Hawaiian National Parks and Historical Sites. They have helped build in our hearts a special place for Hawaii and the national park system.
If you have any questions, please feel to ask me and I will hopefully be able to help you out.
Here on the Handbook of Nature Study we have weekly nature study ideas posted every Friday! You can subscribe to my blog to receive those in your email inbox.
Or, if you would like to have all the archived newsletters and ebooks (20 of them!), you can become an Ultimate Naturalist Member and have access to everything!
We will be working our way through the Winter Wednesday series of nature study ideas starting in January. This ebook includes premade notebooking pages for you to use with your family. It is included in the Ultimate Naturalist Library.
Well, another year has passed and we sit on the brink of a new year. What nature study memories have you created with your family? Our family had a great year of outdoor adventures both together and as individuals. I started off my year in Florida and ended it with a trip to Oregon last week. It doesn’t get much better than that. I appreciate all the entries to the carnival this month…such diverse and interesting posts to enjoy. I look forward to another year with all my nature-loving families. I also wanted to thank all the contributors to the Handbook of Nature Study Newsletters this year. Our community has grown into such a wonderful group of families. I feel very blessed. Our family’s entries from this month’s study (in case you missed one): Using Our Senses Nature Walk December Extraordinary Things
Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!
December Extraordinary in the Ordinary Alex from Life on a Canadian Island submits their Snowy Trail entry sharing their awesome wintery world. Thanks Alex!
Taunya from Taunya’s Place shares their Nature Study-December Walk entry with the carnival. What a treat to glimpse her Oregon December World. I love the last image in this post…don’t miss it.
Tolowa Dunes State Park- December 2013
December World Umm Safiya has submitted their A Walk in Winter Wonderland entry for you to enjoy! It looks like a cold, cold day but they share all the fun things they did in their December World.
Carol from Journey and Destination share their Australian December World in the entry A Walk on the Wild Side. Don’t miss the dragons and the echidna! I loved glimpsing their warm December nature walk.
Annie from Annie’s Place would love for you to read their December World entry. I really loved seeing “God’s artwork”. Don’t miss seeing her images.
Barbara from The Schoolhouse on the Prairie shares their Winter Wonders entry with the carnival. They made a list of Winter Wish List and share how many things they were able to accomplish.
Kristen from Broom and Crown joins this edition of the carnival with their post, Neighborhood Nature Walks. Their family enjoyed a walk in their neighborhood.
Michelle from Following Footprints has submitted their Nature Exploration in December entry for you to enjoy. They completed many of the December Newsletter Grid Study items.
Harris Beach, Oregon Coast December 2013
Winter Nature Table Umm Safiya shares their Winter Scene Nature Table images and entry with the carnival this month. She shares a few simple ideas that her family loves.
Potpourri Alex from Life on a Canadian Island shares her Window Nature Study – December entry with the carnival. This is month four of her year long study.
Eva Varga shares their family’s continuing fungi study with Nature Study: Fly Agaric Fungi. She shares some interesting thoughts about how nature study can lead us in so many directions. Check out their nature journal entries too.
Alicia from Homeschooling in the Redwoods has written up and submitted a wonderful post, National Parks. She shares Crater Lake and Lassen National Parks.
Don’t forget to share your blog entries with the Outdoor Hour Challenge Blog Carnival. All entries done in January are eligible for the next edition. The deadline for entries is 1/30/14 and you can send them directly to me: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com or submit them at the blog carnival site (link on the sidebar of my blog).
Join us for the 2013-2013 Outdoor Hour Challenges.
1. Visit two new national parks – My husband and I are anxious to travel to at least two new parks this year as part of my nature study goals. I have a few in mind so we share see how that works out: Great Basin National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Zion National Park, Olympia National Park. We are not sure which direction we will be heading for our annual big camping trip…east, southwest, or northwest.
2. Three new birds – Identify and journal three new birds. I am determined to make a goal I can keep this year.
3. Rock challenge from 2013 – Continue working through the list of rocks from 2013, hopefully completing at least three new rocks.
4. Take three new hikes – at least one new local hike and two additional hikes
5. Visit a new nature center.
6. Monthly nature photo challenge – I am going to take a nature photo a week. (I will be sharing my printable list of topics soon.) I am then going to choose one photo from each month for a 2015 family calendar.
7. Camping in all four seasons – This is a new goal that my husband and I are going to attempt to start in Spring 2014 and finishing up in at the end of the year. We have never camped during the winter season before so we have been reading up on all the how-to’s.
As I related in my Nature Study Goal 2013 recap from last week, I am learning to set goals but also grab opportunities that come up during the year. Following interest is a major part of my keeping nature study fresh and new as we encounter things along the way. I hope that you can set even just one nature study related goal for 2014. If you would like to share, leave me a comment with a link or just share your thoughts if you feel motivated.
Getting Started Suggestion:
If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #6. Use the printable notebook page in this challenge to record some of the things you collect for your winter-themed nature table.
You may wish to follow my Pinterest – Nature Display board for additional ideas.
Our December was filled with birdwatching. We had some exciting new birds and lots of old favorites.
Here is my list and then a few photos: December 2013
Anna’s hummingbird
White-breasted nuthatch
Western scrub jay
Oak titmouse
House finch
House sparrow
White-crowned sparrow
California towhee
Spotted towhee
Junco
Bewick’s wren
American goldfinch
Lesser goldfinch
Mockingbird
Northern flicker
House wren
Nuttall’s woodpecker
Mourning dove
European starlings
Hermit thrush
California quail – heard but didn’t see
Spotted towhee
Junco
House finch
Thinking this is a Hermit thrush-first time we have seen this and only in the snow.
Bewick’s wren
Anna’s hummingbird – at least three still at our feeders in December
Now a little something to inspire you…
I also finished my December nature journal entry for the extraordinary in the ordinary and December Grid Study. I cut some of the squares from the grid and then used them on my journal page. This is a quick and easy way to create a record of a variety of nature observations in a month.
We are definitely building a snowman birdfeeder again…it was so much fun for us and for the birds!
Outdoor Hour Challenge December World Observations
This challenge will help you appreciate your world during the month of December. This slowing down to make careful observations during December will help your child have something to compare with in each successive season. Learning the cycles of the natural world helps your child gain confidence by being about to distinguish the joys and blessings of each month of the year.
We have make careful observations in the past using the challenges listed below. If you would like an additional challenge, use the Shadows and Silhouettes activity below.
This really simple photo challenge can be accomplished at any time of the year. Before setting out for your outdoor time, sit with your children and discuss what a shadow and a silhouette are and how to find them. Allow them to take a photo of any shadows or silhouettes they observe during your nature walk. Print one or two of the photos for their nature journal.
Getting Started Suggestion:
If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #2. Finding words to record in your nature journal after your walk outside is an easy way to remember the experience. Make sure to discuss the walk afterwards with your child and then help them complete the accompanying notebook page for this challenge.
Goal vs. Accomplishments (original goals)
1. Study and journal ten new birds – Completed five new birds: Pine Siskin, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Mountain Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, and Common Raven.
2. Study and journal five new trees – NONE! What happened there?
3. Study and journal five new shrubs – Completed four shrubs: Toyon Berry, Chamise, Western Redbud, and Chinquain.
4. Take four new hikes: Completed all four!
5. Visit Yosemite National Park in all four seasons- Spring, Summer, and Autumn completed. Winter is coming up in January 2014.
6. Fifteen rocks collected and studied – We completed six of the fifteen rocks. This was a lot harder than I thought so we will make this a long term project.
Yosemite Oct 2013 – Hiking Buddies
What Did I Learn?
The lesson I learned from these year long goals is that you need to keep any goals right in front of you at all times to remind you of your progress. I did make planner pages for most of the goals but I filed them too far back in my planner. I need to look at them each month and pick a few to work on at a time.
Bike Tour down Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park- November 2013
I also learned that my interests change over time. I love following my passions and right now I am inspired by the December Newsletter to visit more national parks…even some far away. I love the idea behind the national parks and during 2014 I will be sharing some more of my thoughts on that topic.
What About New Goals For 2014?
I will be sharing my new 2014 nature study goals soon. If you decide to make some goals for you and your family, please share them with me. You can leave me a comment or leave me a link to come look on your blog.
Top of Vernal Falls – Mom and Son Trip May 2013
Last Thoughts
This has been a year of huge change in my life…our family has grown and stretched in amazing ways. My biggest personal change has been my sixty pound weight loss. I can now hike farther and faster than I ever could and it has opened up a whole new life for my husband and I. We now can set bigger goals for doing more things on trips and share incredible experiences together.
My middle son and constant outdoor companion has moved to New York. He now scours the woods near his new home and shares many of those experiences with me through text and photos.
Mr. B – Nicaragua 2013
My daughter traveled to Bolivia and Peru while my youngest son traveled to Nicaragua. Both experienced the wonders of a habitat far different than our own. I loved hearing of their adventures and relived their travel through photos they brought home to share. Mr. B is hoping to go to Peru for an extended period of time in 2014…looking forward to seeing his experiences!
Death Road Bike Tour in Bolivia – My daughter loved it!
I am so glad that over the years we shared the outdoors together creating memories and a growing confidence about not only traveling the world but experiencing the flora and fauna at the same time.
I hope this encourages you in your own endeavors to create nature study experiences with your children. Nature study will shape who they are on the inside as they learn to appreciate the creation we have right at home and then beyond.
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